Too Funny

Da, Lucy, Mallory and I went to pick up my wedding dress today and on the way home this is what we experienced.


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Eventually Lucy stopped crying but Mallory kept going until we got home (about 20 min). It was like Mallory's cry was serenading Lucy to sleep. Lucy didn't make a peep the rest of the way home.

Lucy and Mallory BFF.

















Lucy was getting ready to do her famous tomahawk chop to Mallory
















This is the 1st time Nacho has really gotten close to Mallory. He even let her pet him. I think he has been pretty desperate for some loving...it's been about 4 months since he has gotten a good rub down...poor kitty (bad parents)
















Daddy feeding Mallory. I thought this picture was so cute because she is playing with his beard...usually she is painfully pulling on it.
















Beautiful baby blues. I just love this picture. She is finally starting to get the thumb sucking down. She was totally content like this for about 20 minutes.




















This is my favorite picture of Mallory and Josh.















She gets so much bigger every day and does something even cuter then the day before. This is such a fun age and we have waited a long 4 months for this...but every late night and early morning has been totally worth it. Josh and I couldn't ask for anything more perfect.

High Chairs and Baby Showers

Mallory and I at my friend Jennifer's baby shower. Her baby Addison is due in October...although she might come a little bit earlier then that. Mallory and I had a grand time...we are so excited to see baby Addie
















Last weekend Josh and I put together Mallory's high chair. Here she is trying to chew off her fingers. It's pretty funny because sometimes she sticks them so far in there that she gags herself...we have to physically remove them so she doesn't keep doing it. She has gotten her thumb a couple of times and it is just too cute.
















Here she is playing w/ one of her favorite toys...Mr. Blue Bear. I think she likes it because she can actually pick it up because it's so lite.




















This is a pumpkin my grandmother gave us. It has Mallory's name carved in it...except she forgot one 'L' but who cares it's still adorable.















Come here my pretty pumpkin. he he he!!!















Not much new is going on. I wanted to post some more adorable pictures of Mallory. She has been drooling A LOT...especially if she is chewing on something i.e. her hand, a toy, her bib. Its quite entertaining to see how fascinated she gets when she notices her hand and it moves...but then 10 seconds later she doesn't even realize that she was look at her own hand and moves on to a toy or something else to chew on. I don't think she is teething because she hasn't had a fever or been extremely fussy...but I guess we'll find out of she is. I know 4 months seems early to have teeth but mom told me that my brother Drew (I think) was teething at 4 months. I just hope it doesn't interfere with breastfeeding...time will tell.

She has been so happy lately and coos a lot. She is totally a morning person (after her 1st nap of course). She usually gets up between 6 and 7:30, eats (its more like a snack) then takes another 3-4 hour nap...then she is the happiest baby in the world. In the early, early morning she just wants to eat and go back to sleep. After her nap I can stand over her on the changing pad for an hour and we'll babble back and forth. I love this stage but in a way it makes me sad because I know that she is getting big and those little milestones will be coming fast. I just want her to stay a baby forever.

Josh and I have been struggling financially lately. I went around last week and applied for part-time jobs. I haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully I can work just in the evenings so that we don't have to have a sitter for more then one day. If I had to work during the day I know most of my paycheck would be going towards day care...its so frustrating, to be paying someone to be away from my child. I really enjoy being a stay-at-home mom and Josh and I are going to try to keep it that way. So keep us in your prayers.

The wedding plans are moving along. I think we almost have all the vendors/places booked...although we are having a hard time finding a church. I called the Community of Christ church in Liberty but no one has called me back. I am also looking at a Lutheran church just outside of Liberty. I told Josh our best bet (as far as money) would be to use a Community of Christ since I am a member and Independence has a plethora of Community of Christ churches. I tell ya what...it is very hard to keep the very small budget we have. I believe we will probably end up going over...But hopefully not too much.

Oh yes...one more thing. Mallory officially weighed 12 lbs at the breastfeeding class last week. Her 4 mo checkup is at the end of September...dreaded shots!!! I'm sure she will be past t he 13 lbs. mark by then;) She's growing like a weed. She is still in some 0-3 month clothing but is fast approaching 3-6 month clothing. It's been quite cool in Liberty lately (which I love...fall is one of my favorite seasons) so I have been putting her in long sleeves, pants and cute little socks. Before long she'll have to start wearing a jacket. "it's the most wonderful time of the year".

I know you all want to know the pumpkin trick. Grandma said that when the pumpkin is little (she grows them on the farm) just take a key or something that will scratch the surface and write the name in it...when it gets bigger then it will look like the picture above. Good luck!!!

Labor Day Weekend

The crazy Bidney family back together again...














Marcy, Drew, Laura, Dean (grandpa), Susie (grandma), Mallory, Emily and Josh


What a crazy, crazy weekend. We got to Illinois a little after midnight. Laura and I spent the last hour and a half on the road thinking of camp songs. It was a blast...I can't believe we remembered so many. Eventually we ran out of camp songs and started thinking of cheers. Everyone was up when we finally got there. It was great to see family again. We haven't all been together since Amy's wedding (about 3 years). My dad didn't know my sister was coming. He was very surprised when he saw her sitting in the front seat. He also didn't know that my brother was flying in from Maine (Drew's girlfriend picked him up) so he was surprised again earlier that day. Dad couldn't believe that we 'pulled one past him'. Well he didn't know about the other surprise...his 60th birthday party on Sunday. It was great. We had him take grandpa Bidney (Spencer) to Macomb...about 1/2 hour away and while he was gone we got everything set up for the party. Friends and family came to surprise him. It was great to see the look on his face. Surely he didn't think Laura and Drew flew in just for a long weekend.

It was Aunt Laura (aka lala) and Uncle Drew's 1st time seeing Mallory. I think they love her more then Josh and I do. It was so great seeing them holding her like it was like 2nd nature to both of them. I just wish we all didn't live so far apart. Oh well, that just means more traveling (which I love) for us.

Mallory loved seeing everyone. Plus she got held 95% of the time we were there...which is a total bonus in her mind. We did have some rough patches though...grandma didn't have a baby swing so sometimes it was quite a challenge to get her to sleep. Sunday night Aunt Lala was holding her and she fell asleep around 7:30...she didn't wake up until 7:30 the next morning. Of course she hasn't repeated the 12 hour snooze...but it will come eventually. She's still sleeping 6-8 hours so I am thankful for that.

Also Sunday night we had a campfire and sang camp songs after everyone from the party left. We didn't have much participation with the songs but we enjoyed the fire and smores. Marcy (aka fire nazi) enjoyed building a fire for us...and a fine fire it was.

So the weekend was wonderful and short. We got back to Liberty on Monday evening. Laura flew out Tuesday evening and then everything was back to the same ol' thing.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Uncle Drew holding Mallory next to the huge maple tree in the front yard. Yes there is a face in the tree...but it doesn't talk



















Grandma feeding Mallory...she is in the classic "I'm tired" pose















Cousin Amy holding Mallory...it was quite cool this weekend so Mallory got the oppertunity to wear her camo jacket that Grandpa Sutton got her




















Uncle Drew rocking Mallory to sleep in the porch swing. She loves being outside and to be able to fall asleep while outside is heaven for her.
















Aunt Lala holding Mallory in the famous porch swing...this time she wasn't quite as happy to be in the swing
















Cousin Sarah holding Mallory...she thought she was flying
















Grandma and Grandpa with Mallory before we had to leave

Cute Pics

Mallory and daddy after daddy got home from work. Nothing like being 1/2 naked on a really hot day




















Josh got Mal this teddy bear at the Chief's game
















Mal and daddy snoozing.















Mallory loves her mobile. This is the 1st time she has really looked at it w/ amazement. It also gives me 10 minutes of hands free time.




















Mallory is really starting to sit up more. If she is laying down she demands to be sat back up. She loves to stand also. It's amazing how strong she is. Before long she'll be sitting on her own.

SHE IS HERE

My dearest friend, Da Horton, had her baby. I don't think they have posted anything on their blog but you can check it out: charlesandnanthida.blogspot.com
She came 8/27: 8 lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great. I got to see them yesterday...unfortuntally I didn't get a picture...but I'm sure I'll have plenty of photo opps in the future. As of now they still haven't decided on a name.

Baby Horton is only 2 inches shorter then Mallory and was a whole 2 lbs bigger then Mallory when she was born. It won't be too long and she will pass her up. I held Mal's feet up to the babies and they were almost the same size. Crazy huh.


We went to Rolla this two weekends ago for Josh's cousin's wedding. The ceremony was very nice and we had a great time at the reception. Mallory did very well at both. We headed back to Liberty on Sunday afternoon. Mallory did very well on the way down and on the way back. I was very surprised. She cried some when we were almost home but that is better then the last time (2 hours). Poor thing...she just hates her car seat. I think she is starting to grow out of it because now she is starting to look outside when we are in the car.

We are heading to Illinois this weekend. It's going to be crazy trying to see all the family we can. It will be a lot of fun seeing everyone again. We have been very fortunite to be able to travel so much w/ Mallory. As long as we get her in the car at the right time (i.e. nap) then it's pretty much smooth sailing.

Great A. Betty w/ Mallory at the reception.















U. Aaron and grandpa Sutton being goofy.















Great, great A. Jackie w/ Mallory

Travel and car seats

If we stick a binky in Mallory's mouth when she is really tired she does this. It looks like she is lounging...I think she gets it from grandpa Bidney













Hello Bright Eyes













She is really starting to stick her tongue out and mimics you when you do it to her. She has tried to roll her tongue a couple of times but it just doesn't make it














We went to Rolla this past weekend. Mallory did very well in the car seat...except for when she woke up and realized she was still in her car seat. I am hoping she will grow out of this car seat hatred soon. Poor thing...we go so many places during the day and over the weekend that we can't take her out every time. I got some cute toys that go on the car seat handle...they make a chime noise. She isn't too interested in them right now but I'm sure that will change.

She has really started to enjoy her play gym. She just looks around and I put the ball that has a bell in it at her feet...so when she kicks it makes noise...her eyes get so big...it's so cute.














Before I know it I'll have to get a Johnny Jump Up so she can jump around. When we stand her up she pretty much supports her own weight...she is still very wobbly. Sometimes it also looks like she might start rolling over. That is going to be a glorious day and a sad one because then I know I can't leave her on the changing pad unattended.

My back is doing much better. I did two massages on Friday and they both went well...I was just sore on Saturday. I have another one tomorrow and I know as long as I keep myself stretched out I'll do just fine.

Wedding plans are moving very slow. We are hoping to have everything done by the end of November so we can enjoy the holidays and not be stressed out. Wish us luck. I am going to try on dresses Friday...I am so excited. In my mind I have an idea of what I want to wear but I'm sure that will all change once I start trying on. Oh what fun!!!

We're Engaged

Here is the ring...Josh did a wonderful job picking it out. I absoutly love it.














Mallory w/ the ring...the girl looks great in diamonds already














Last Wednesday (8/9) Josh and I got engaged. We are very excited to start our lives together (officially). We went to the Pub House in Liberty...which is also the place we met at. We were eating dinner and I was rousing him about not having a ring yet and then he said well when do you want the righ. I said yesterday and he said well, how about today. He got down on one knee (of course I started crying immediately) and asked me what I was doing for the rest of his life and if I would grow old with him. Of course I said yes. We are so excited to get married...I'm so excited to start planning. The estimated 'tie-the-knot' date is in January...but I'm sure the official date will move around a couple of times.

Josh said the bracelet for my birthday was a decoy (nice decoy). When he went to pick it up last Tuesday he took Mallory w/ him and I guess when the showed it to him her eyes got huge...she's a diamond girl already:)

On another note...I haven't been able to work because I threw out my back...BAD!!! I've done it before but never like this. I have been to the chiropractor and he has adjusted me. I feel much better today but I'm still limited to how much I can move around. So I have been taking it easy and Josh has been super dad. He has been wonderful at taking care of me and Mallory. Hopefully by Friday I will be a lot better and able to at least do a couple of massages. So keep us in your prayers. I have also started looking for another part-time job to make up for income that we have lost. Hopefully I won't have to do it for very long.

So that's an update from the Bidney-Sutton household...soon to be just Sutton;)

Stars are blind

One of the cute moments after her bath. She still isn't to sure if she likes them yet...but she's getting used to them














My beautiful baby...she totally loves the camera. She looks right at it as soon as I get it out and start taking pictures.














Gray squirrel, gray squirrel swish your bushy tail. Hold a nut between your toes, WRINKLE UP YOUR FUNNY NOSE. Gray squirrel, gray squirrel swish your bushy tail














Obviously when the paparazzi see this picture she will be the Hottest baby on the planet














Things are going well in the Bidney-Sutton household. I started my job Tuesday. Business is really slow...I didn't have anyone on Tuesday...but I'm sending out some mailers and hopefully that will motivate people to come see me. I am still really excited about getting started. I believe I will have my 1st appointment on Friday...Josh's mom...thanks Nana B.

We are still having trouble finding a sitter for Tuesdays. Hopefully we will find someone before next week. We still have a couple of different options up our sleeves.

Mallory is growing. She weighs 10 lbs 15oz. I can almost get her to smile when she is crying...but we aren't quite there yet. Oh well, I'm sure it will happen pretty soon. It's so easy to get out of a routine when we go visit somewhere. We were swaddling Mal @ night to get her asleep, but when we went to visit my mom we got out of the habit of doing it and thought maybe she was just growing out of it. We had to bring back the ol' swaddling last night because she just wouldn't calm down and go to sleep...poor girl. As soon as I swaddled her and got the paci in her mouth she was out. The only unfortunate thing was that it was 9:30 so that means she was up by 5 am...but I am still so thankful she is sleeping through the night.

One Happy Baby

Mallory giving her knock'em dead smile. Isn't she a cutie. Look at those dimples













A couple of weeks ago we got Mal a new carrier because the other one we had just wasn't working very well for either of us. Now she is big enough to be face out...I can't believe it













This is a T-shirt we got for Mallory at the Cubs game...this ones for you grandpa Bidney













Yesterday morning I woke up to find Mallory wedged against the side of the crib...no I still haven't made her bumper pads













Josh and I were shopping in Sears Grand this weekend. Mallory feel asleep like this:













It's a thing that connects to her pacifier

Everything has been going so well lately. Mallory is still fussy for about an hour or so in the evenings but quickly doses off around 10. She has been sleep 6-8 hours every night for the past 2 weeks. It's been wonderful. I have finally stopped checking on her 10 times a night and usually only check on her about once or twice a night...yay more sleep for me!!!

Well I finally got a job. I start on Tuesday. It's going to be a rough start getting clients in the door but I am so excited. Right now I am only going to work one day and one evening shift so that we only have to have a sitter for one day. We are kind of in a pinch because we haven't found a sitter yet (yikes) but we have a couple different avenues we can try and if all else fails this week then Josh said he would stay home Tuesday. I can always just work in the evenings so that Josh can watch her and we don't have to worry about a sitter. Oh well, we'll work something out.

Mallory has really started to be more awake during the evening hours (and isn't crying the whole time). She is laughing and cooing so much and she loves to just look at things. As you can tell in the pictures above she looks right at the camera when I'm taking pictures...so photogenic already.

Well my birthday was last Thursday and Josh got me a beautiful gold bracelet w/ emeralds and diamonds on it. I know emeralds aren't the August birth stone...it's the May birth stone...the month Mallory was born. It's so beautiful and I thought he did a wonderful job picking it out.

So it's off to work and new adventures...Wish us luck!

I figured it out

Enjoy...I took this video a couple of days ago.

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Smiles, cooing and shots

Last Wednesday Mallory had her 2 mo checkup and she had to get shots. She did very well, she cried of course but as soon as it was done she didn't fuss too much. I fed her right away and she fell asleep













It's so amazing how much babies change in just 2 months. Every crying moment was worth seeing this every morning (ok, I tried to load a video and it keeps freaking out on me so once I learn to do it I'll be able to post this super cute video of her cooing and smiling on the blog)

Family and Parties

Me and Mallory at the baby shower

















Family at the baby shower













Great Grandma Edsall holding Mallory













Aunt Carol holding Mallory (post nap)













On Saturday my mom and some of her friends threw Mallory a baby shower. We had a great time and got lots of great gifts...some we can use now some we can use in the future. Mallory did good. She got a little fussy (which is normal) then exploded all over herself then spit up at the same time...so we had to change her on Sue's kitchen counter (Sue's house if officially broken in by Mallory). The cake was wonderful and it was great seeing family and friends I hadn't seen in a while.

After the party we headed back to the Bidney household and caught up w/ family. Aunt Carol got to hold Mallory for her 3 hour nap. Mallory enjoyed a warm body to lay next to (she doesn't get that too often now a days...I usually put her in her swing so I can get some things done). Dad fixed a great steak dinner and then we had birthday cake for me (my birthday is tomorrow). So we were just about caked out by the end of the day (I could never have too much cake).

Sunday we had a big breakfast/brunch then finally got on the road around 3...way later then we wanted but I guess that is what happens when you have children...they set the schedule. The drive back wasn't too bad. Josh was great...I had to sit in back w/ Mal about 95% of the time to keep her binky in so she would sleep. We only had to stop twice so she did good.

Red Birds vs Cubs

Josh infront of the all famous Wrigley Field sign













A statue of Harry Caray...Hey, if the moon was made of spare ribs would you eat it (SNL skit)













Me and Josh in our seats.













A view of the field from our seats. Did you know that the buildings around Wrigley have bleachers on top of them so people can watch the game but not have to buy a ticket...crazy














Pujols striking out...he didn't do much else during the game.













The weekend was packed w/ loads of fun. Josh and I went to Chicago by train on Friday to watch the Cardinals vs Cubs. Our train left around 7 and was packed. We got into Union Station around 10:45 so we got a bite to eat then headed for the L (subway). It was interesting figuring out how much money to put on our ticket for the L..of course we didn't put enough on there and had to put more on for the way back, but we managed and made it to Wrigley Field. It was pretty stuffy in the stadium (there were over 40,000 people there) but our seats were awesome and we enjoyed every minute of it. Josh even bought Mallory a Cubs teddy bear (even though he hates the Cubs and loves the Cardinals). Unfortunately the Cardinals lost but we had a great time. After the game we stopped in one of the many shops back to the L and bought ourselves some Wrigley Field t-shirts. Then we stood in line like a herd of cows waiting to get to the L...it was absolutely crazy. We finally made it onto the L and back to Union Station just in time to get in yet another line for the train back to Macomb. I was so amazed that we didn't have time to do anything else. I was at least hoping we would be able to go to the Sears Tower or Navy Pier. Maybe next time. Josh is already planning another trip to a different stadium next year (he's hoping for Fenway Park).